Michael P. Ernst, 43, shot and killed himself about a month after the two were indicted in March
A Fredon woman who once worked as a prostitute in Hawaii pleaded guilty to conspiracy and filing false tax returns Monday in federal court. A 38-year-old woman admitted she made more than $525,000 working as a prostitute in Hawaii and then sent the money to her husband in New Jersey.
Khemwika Ernst will be sentenced to up to five years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to conspiracy and filing a false tax return, according to a report on KITV.com.
She didn't report the income she made as a prostitute for about six years.
Michael P. Ernst, 43, shot and killed himself about a month after the two were indicted in March, the report said.
The two used most of the money to buy a $390,000 house in Sussex County, the report said. The home, purchased in September 2012, sits on three acres in Fredon, according to public records.
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Khemwika Ernst deposited money she made as a prostitute from 2008 to 2014 into a joint account, authorities in Hawaii alleged. After the credit union questioned the large deposits, Ernst began shipping cash to New Jersey via FedEx, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Authorities intercepted one of the packages, which contained $7,400 in cash.
Michael Ernst, a 1989 graduate of Ramapo High School, served in the U.S. Navy for more than 20 years, according to an online obituary. He grew up in Wyckoff.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JGoldmanNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
